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Maori Language Week in New Zealand
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Learning about the indigenous Maori culture in New Zealand is often a highlight of the international student experience. Maori Language Week provides a great opportunity to also learn a little more about their language.
For one week each July, the Maori language, known at "te reo" (literally, the language) is celebrated around the country in classrooms, on television, and in public events.
Te reo is on of New Zealand's official languages (the others are English and New Zealand Sign Language) but only about four percent of the population can speak it at a conversational level.
By promoting more use of te reo, New Zealand hopes to preserve more of the Maori culture, keeping traditions alive for future generations.
People identifying themselves as Maori make up around 14% of New Zealand's population. They have been living in the country for around one thousand years.
Some common Maori words used by all New Zealanders include the greeting "kia ora", and the Maori name for New Zealand "Aotearoa" meaning "land of the long, while cloud".
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